The Grace Note Blog

  'Scary Faces' - The Riot Vans Single Review Glasgow punk rock band The Riot Vans released their single 'Scary Faces' on 21st May. Charlie, Aidan, Jack and Adam are newly signed to Disobedient Records - and this is their first release with the label.  The punchy start to the song instantly grabs your attention and will get you jumping even before the  powerful vocals kick in! The distinctive driving guitars and drums in this track are what gives it the catchy, upbeat feel.  The Riot Vans perfectly blend their punk vocals with a ska feel to the track and it is definitely going to be a winner live in the mosh pits.   Commenting on the track the band said "Scary Faces is effectively an amalgamation of things we thought sounded cool". I couldn't agree more!  You can listen to 'Scary Faces' on Spotify  here.

  'We're All Going Mad' - Ashley Stacey Single Review Following the success of his single 'Palace Pier' earlier this year, South East London singer-songwriter Ashley Stacey released his latest single on 14th May 2021 with the accompanying lyric video going live yesterday. 'We're All Going Mad' is the conclusion drawn from lyrics focusing on the stress of a modern society including "No service with a smile",  "Capitalistic mindset, unsustainable lifestyles"  and the pre-occupation with social media we all have leading to a lack of in person social contact "Tied to your phone, time spent alone". The driving bass, guitars and energetic drums joined by a horn section, lead to a big old rock n roll anthem that is begging to be heard live this summer.  Ashley released his debut album 'The Sun Still Shines On You' in September 2020, he has had radio play including BBC Radio Kent and has been added to This Feeling's ...

'Enemy' - King Blonde Single Review King Blonde are a 4 piece from Derby, they released their latest single 'Enemy' on May 14th. 'Enemy' continues their dark and dreamy indie rock journey, following on from their previous singles, Low Light (15/1/21) and Noah (8/3/21). With powerful vocals, big drums and captivating guitar hooks 'Enemy' will have you throwing shapes in the kitchen. Although mine are nowhere near as good as the talented dancer they got for the accompanying video.  Their previous PR campaign for 'Noah' involved encouraging motorists to give them a pip whilst standing on the streets with a King Blonde sign! If this isn't commitment to the cause then I don't know what is. With radio play for 'Enemy' already on BBC Radio Introducing Midlands and 'Low Light' being named as Track of the Week by BBC Radio Derby back in February, King Blonde are smashing it this year! You can listen to 'Enemy' on Spotify  h...

 'My Mind' - Sages Of The Subway Single Review Cambridge based indie/alt pop band Sages Of The Subway released their latest single on May 14th.  'My Mind' sees Dean, James, Nath and Tom take a step towards a more synth pop sound resulting in a cool, sophisticated track with a brilliantly catchy chorus and vibey guitar solos and riffs.  "When the night is through, I wake up and I start the day again, like all of this is new, I'm stuck out in the past it's all I know, I try to get away, I want the feeling here to always stay"  A sultry, reflective song to "get you out of my mind".  This is going to be an essential at the clubs and house parties as we move forward, I don't think you could listen without dancing. Having already had air play on BBC Introducing Radio Cambridgeshire, 'My Mind' is a dance inducing, infectious anthem that is going to take us through a summer of music. You can catch Sages Of The Subway live at the O2 Academ...

  Pretty Mafia - 'Benny Blanco' Single Review Pretty Mafia are Charlie, Joe, Ethan and Joe - a four piece indie rock band from Wakefield, West Yorkshire.  Charlie wrote 'Benny Blanco' at the start of the first lockdown, it's a rock n roll song of a modern day gangster. A story-telling tale of Benny Blanco as a character, who "loves a fiasco", with lyrics such as "bad guys do what good guys dream" -it really makes you smile.  The song is loaded with groovy vibey guitars, clever intricate drums and vocals full of personality. I really enjoyed listening to this song over the last week, every time I listen my opinion evolves. Initial thoughts were of an Oasis-esque feel with some Arctic Monkeys in the vocals. I've gone on to hear some jazziness to the drums and please note that Joe's epic guitar solos give an extra edge of cool to the track! Formerly known as Ascendo, this is their debut single since their reincarnation as Pretty Mafia, and b...

  'Salem II' EP Review Grace Calver Salem are front-vamp Will Gould (also of the band Creeper) and guitarist Matthew Reynolds, they burst onto the scene with The Apathy Ball and the release of their debut single 'Destroy Me' last year. Today (Friday 7th May) they release their second EP titled 'Salem II'. One of the main things I love about them and this EP is the imagery created with the lyrics and music. The lexical fields of vampires, love and darkness that can be found through all of the songs, paired with the gothic, theatrical and punky sound.  There is an eerie start to this EP with the introduction of the first track; 'William, It Was Really Nothing' before the punchy guitars explode in. A nod to The Smiths' 'William, It Was Really Nothing', this song is a theatrical masterpiece - with dominating vocals supported by a stunning, gothic choir and powerful guitars. This contrasts beautifully with the gentle bell, piano and wind chime sou...

  The Skinner Brothers - 'Iconic' EP Review Tomorrow (Friday 7th May 2021) sees The Skinner Brothers drop their new EP 'Iconic'!  As their Spotify bio says, "The Skinner Brothers don't fuck about" and this 4-track EP backs up this claim! The EP explodes into action with two new tracks and two previously released singles - but with a twist. First up, the title track 'Iconic' starts with Zac Skinner's vocals and a guitar - then the beat comes in hard and we're rockin'! This is an amazing start, a track full of swag and attitude and will get the crowd chanting along "Iconic" in the build up to the final chorus. 'Iconic' is for winning the game with success against all odds "Get on it, step on it, subsonic, iconic." The second, and other brand new track is 'M.O.R.E', heavier than 'Iconic', it starts small and grows into an anthem oozing with self confidence. 'M.O.R.E' mentions getting up m...

  Not Now Norman - 'Shut Your Mouth' Single Review Photo: Paul Murray Media Not Now Norman are a hard rock band from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. They released their latest single 'Shut Your Mouth' on 23rd April 2021, their direct and in-your-face sound deals this time with the raw emotions felt after frontwoman Taylor-Grace Mitchell left an abusive relationship.  Taylor reveals "the track is about domestic abuse, the words are everything I wanted to say when my abuser was berating me. The build up is meant to get people to start shouting 'Shut Your Mouth' with the track when the final chorus hits. It's meant to reignite the fire that victims feel has died when they escape domestic abuse and boost confidence."  This track has piercingly powerful guitars and strong commanding vocals, which make it a theatrical rock anthem. The build up will leave the listener feeling strong and powerful and I am in no doubt that seen live, the whole crowd will be behind Tayl...